Robert B. Parker’s The Devil Wins

77

When Jesse stepped out of the shower the following morning it was to a chorus of ringing phones. He chose the landline because it was closest.

“Jesse Stone.”

“Morning, Jesse.”

“What’s up, Molly?”

“Two things.”

Jesse asked, “Good, bad, or mixed?”

“Good. Jameson is coming out of it, but the doctor says he’s not up for visitors yet.”

“Not even the cops?”

“Especially not with cops. He’s agitated and confused.”

“What’s the other thing?”

“I got a line on Millner,” she said.

“Did you get any sleep last night?”

“A little. Then I came in early. Don’t you want to hear what I’ve got?”

“Sorry, Molly. You were saying you got a line on Millner.”

“Two nights ago he took a cab from the Swap to over by the marina.”

“You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“That Millner hid out on Dragoa’s boat and then they both split after Dragoa tried to run Jameson down.”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“It’s them, Jesse. It’s got to be them who killed Mary Kate, Ginny, and Warren. It’s got to be.”

“Evidence, Molly. Evidence. They look guilty, but looking isn’t being. Wake Peter Perkins up and tell him to get down to the station. Call the DA and get warrants for Dragoa’s house and property, and for Millner’s apartment and for the maintenance shed at Sacred Heart,” Jesse said, walking over to his dresser to retrieve his cell phone. He looked at the message and saw it was from Healy.

“Anything else, Jesse?”

“You believe in prayer?”

“I guess.”

“Then start praying.”

He put the phone back in its cradle, toweled off, and got dressed. He went downstairs and put up some coffee before calling Healy.

“About time you called back,” Healy said.

“Good morning to you, too.”

“Our guys found it,” Healy said. “About an hour ago.”

“The boat?”

“Yep, the Dragoa Rainha. They found her just a little ways up the coast from you, north of Swan Harbor in a little rocky inlet called Shelter Cove. Blood everywhere, but no bodies.”

“No bodies?”

“I was getting to that. Swan Harbor cops found two bodies washed up onshore about two miles north. Male Caucasians tentatively identified as—”

“Alexio Dragoa and John Millner,” Jesse said before Healy could finish.

“How’d you know?”

“I didn’t know, exactly. Molly tracked down a cabbie who took Millner to the marina area two nights ago.”

“One of my guys has seen the bodies. They still had their wallets in their pockets. He says Dragoa’s got two holes in him and that Millner’s guts look like Swiss cheese. I think your case is finally closed, Jesse.”

“How’s that?”

“There’s a confession. Come on up. I’ll meet you there.”